In a nutshell

Compact and lightweight durability combine with ease of pushing and steering in this great value double buggy - but it's not for families who need a travel system.

Pros

Lightweight, sturdy, easy to manoeuvre, can use from birth

Cons

Can’t use it as a travel system, needs two hands to fold

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Our review

Baby Jogger's products are made with the aim of making life easy for busy mums and dads on the go.

With new parents keen to buy the best for their little ones the UK buggy market is a highly competitive one.

The Baby Jogger City Mini Double costs £449 and is around the same price bracket as one of its main rivals, the Out ‘n’ About Nipper 360, also a side-by-side buggy, which retails at around £430.

Pricewise, the Bugaboo Donkey, at over £1,000, is in a whole other league and its various configurations that mean it can be used as both a single and double buggy.

We bought a Baby Jogger City Mini when we had our first son, Ellis, who’s now 19 months and I absolutely loved it. We live in a first floor flat in London, so I needed a lightweight buggy that’s easy to take up and down. The City Mini ticked all the boxes. It seemed like a no-brainer to get the double version - which has seats side-by-side - when I had my second little one, Theo, 15 months later.

The City Mini double has the two buggy seats side by side. But at 76cm wide it’s still fairly compact and fits through most standard doorways in public places.

What’s great about the City Mini double is that for a double buggy it’s super lightweight. It weighs just 11.8kg so it’s not too heavy for me to be able to carry up and down the stairs to our flat.

A downside is to this buggy is that the City Mini Double, and City Mini GT Double, aren’t currently compatible with any infant carriers. So if you’re looking for a travel system then sadly this isn’t the buggy for you.

The Baby Jogger City Mini is a side-by-side double buggy, how does it compare to a tandem?

One of the things I like about this side-by-side buggy is that my little ones can sit next to each other and be able to interact. Before using it I’d been a bit concerned about whether I’d be able to get this buggy through doors.

On the whole I’ve not had a problem with most standard main doors at playgroups and classes. But where I have struggled is getting it into friends’ houses. It’s just too big to fit through some porches, or there hasn’t been enough room for me to get in once I’d squeezed the buggy in without folding it down.

I also rely on public transport and find it can be a nightmare trying to get this side-by-side buggy on to the bus. Not because it’s difficult to manoeuvre but because there’s often never enough space when it’s busy for it to fit. So while I can see lots of benefits to a side-by-side buggy, I’m afraid for that reason, a tandem pushchair would still be my preferred choice.

What’s it like on size?

I’ve never had a problem getting the buggy down any of the aisles at my local supermarkets. But after standing in a massive queue I’ve found on a couple of occasions that I hadn’t been able to get it down the checkout, which is a bit annoying.

I’ve since discovered that generally tills on the very end are wide enough to accommodate a side-by-side double buggy. So as long as you know which tills to go to it’s fine.

Can you get it in your local shop?

Ellis has lots of allergies so I have to go to a local health food shop to buy some of his food. I struggle with even getting the single buggy inside so I only go there when I just have Theo.

What’s the weight of the double buggy like?

One of the great things about the Baby Jogger City Mini double is that it’s very lightweight for a double buggy. It weighs 11.8kg, less than the Out ‘N’ About Nipper 360 by 1kg, and isn’t too heavy for me to carry up and down the stairs by myself.

Even when it’s got Ellis and Theo in it, and all of their things, it’s still manageable. I’m hoping pushing it will help tone up my bingo wings.

The single version was criticised for having a small basket, is that the same with the double version?

I found that one of the straps that attaches to the basket on my single version of the buggy frayed and ripped. And I’d agree that the shopping basket is on the small side. The basket on the double version is a little bigger but I now have twice as much I need to try and fit in it, and often can’t.

I ended up buying some hooks to strap on to the handlebar but you can’t put anything too heavy on them as it might cause the buggy to tip over backwards.

Does its weight hamper its durability?

No, it’s both lightweight and hardwearing, an ideal combination.

What do you think of the seat sizes?

The seats on the double are about 10cm smaller in width than they are on the single. Both my little ones fit quite comfortably in it with plenty of room to grow.

What’s great about the seats is that each can be individually reclined so your little ones don’t have to be sitting in the same position. I usually have Theo fully reclined so he’s lying almost flat and Ellis sitting up so he can see what’s going on.

If we’re out when it’s naptime I sometimes also recline Ellis all the way back too so he can have a more comfortable sleep. Each seat has a five-point safety harness, mesh vent and retractable weather cover to protect Ellis and Theo from the rain if they’re lying back.

Is the Baby Jogger City Mini Double travel system compatible?

No, it's not. You can’t use it as a travel system as it’s not currently compatible with any car seats.

What do you think of the height of the buggy?

The height of the buggy (105.5cm) is the same as the single one. It allows Ellis (and later Theo), a good vantage point to sit and watch the world go by.

Is the frame strong, durable?

This is a buggy frame that’s built to last. I’ve bashed it about a bit taking it in and out of the buggy park at nursery and so far it doesn’t look any worse for wear.

Would you recommend it for use from birth?

One of the good features of this double buggy is that you can use it from birth and you don’t need to buy any extras.

When I had Ellis I bought an expensive luxury carrycot for the City Mini single as I was nervous about taking him out without him facing me. I was very disappointed to discover it doesn’t fit on the double as the seats are narrower.

This forced me to use the double buggy in the fully reclined position for Theo. Second time around I’m more relaxed about this. Plus, each SPF 50+ hood canopy has peek-a-boo windows that let me see both Theo and Ellis so I can check they’re OK.

And as the weather has been quite sunny I’ve spent most of the time when he’s been in his carrycot covering Theo up anyway so I can’t see him. Either way, Theo isn’t too bothered. He loves being in the carrycot but he’s equally happy napping in the buggy too.

What do you think of the fold system?

One of the major selling points for me of the single version of the buggy is the folding system. It’s amazing. Its patented quick fold technology makes it just so easy to fold it up with one hand. Sadly I can’t say the same about this one. Yes, it’s quick and easy to fold it down. But the big catch is that you need two hands to be able to do it. And when I’m trying to get my toddler and baby out of the buggy it’s impossible for me to get everything in at the same time. I have to leave the buggy on the street, put the boys safely upstairs in a playpen and bouncy chair then run down to get the buggy. No mean feat!

What do you think of handle?

The handle bar is fixed so it’s not possible to change the height of it. I’ve never considered it to be much of an issue. It’s the same with the single version of the buggy so I’m used to it. My partner has never had any problems with it either and he’s 6ft 1in. And the same goes for its manoeuvrability, we think it steers smoothly.

How compact is it when folded?

Pretty compact. It folds down to about the width of a wheel and a half (H28.5cm x W76cm x L78.5cm). I’m able to store it in my communal hallway and still be able to easily get past it.

How easy is it to store?

We live in a first floor flat and rather than have to take the buggy up and down the stairs every time I need to use it I leave it in our hallway, which we share with our neighbour below.

How comfortable does it feel for your little ones?

Both Ellis and Theo always seem quite comfy when we’re out and about. The pair of them often fall asleep in it, or are quite content to just sit, or lie back, in it with no fuss.

How is interacting with your little ones when in the buggy?

When the sun canopy is covering Ellis and Theo it does limit the amount of interaction I’m able to have with them both. The good thing is that I can still see what they’re up to through the peek-a-boo windows. And they can both look up and see me and feel reassured that I’m still there too.

What do you think of the hood?

The hood is great. You can adjust the sun canopy into different positions, depending on the weather. The coverage is brilliant, the only part of Ellis that sticks out is his legs. The clear windows that open and close with Velcro, are particularly useful. They let me block out the sun if I’m trying to get either of the boys to sleep and also allow me to peer in and see what they’re up to without disturbing them.

What are the basket and storage pockets like?

The basket is a bit on the small side. With two little ones you end up having lots of stuff you have to cart around with you. And by the time I’ve got the rain cover, snacks and changing bag in there’s not room for much else. I’ve also found that sometimes when I try to stuff shopping in there depending on how well, or not, I’m able to cram it in it can fall out of the other side so I have to keep an eye on it. The storage pockets are big enough to fit paper in so could be good for a shopping list but that’s about it. And to be honest I’d never even noticed them before now on the single buggy. They’re also at the back of the seat, which means if the seat is fully reclined it would be awkward to access.

How easy is it to push, do the wheels lock and swivel positions make a difference?

I find it very easy to push. You can set the wheels to lock into position so they can’t move left or right which is great if you’re on grass or a bumpy surface. This gives you more control, making it easier to go in a straight line, as opposed to wobbling all over the place. The front-wheel suspension also gives the boys a fairly smooth ride.

How does it feel on different surfaces?

I’ve always found the buggy to be sturdy on most surfaces and you can always lock the wheels if you’re pushing it on cobbles or across the grass. As far as it feeling heavy goes, it depends how much stuff I’ve got in it in addition to Ellis and Theo. When the shopping basket is overflowing I’ve found it a little unyielding mounting curbs and it can often take me a few goes to get it onto the pavement. Likewise getting the buggy on and off the bus it sometimes takes me a few attempts as it can wobble when I’m trying to tip it up or down and move it.

I wouldn’t recommend using the buggy in rough terrain but for everyday use and taking it to the park the tyres are fine.

Tell us about the brakes

The brake is at the back of the buggy in the middle. It’s easy to use, you just push it down, or up, with your foot and you’ll hear it click. The only time I’ve ever had an issue with the break is when I’ve been on the bus and a couple of times it’s come off. I don’t know whether it’s because of the movement, or if I haven’t pushed it down properly, but I’ve always been quite cautious since. As a result I would never leave it unattended, or even let go of the buggy, while on public transport to be on the safe side.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

We don’t own a car but we tested it out in the boot of our neighbour’s BMW and it fitted no problem.

Is it easy/hard to build the product?

It took my other half about 10 minutes to assemble the buggy. The instruction booklet initially confused him as it has a picture of a single buggy on it. This is because the instructions are the same for both the City Mini single and double.

What would you have wanted to know before you purchased the item?

As someone with two little ones under two years I’d have wanted to know that you need two hands to open and fold down the buggy.

Who would the product be most useful for?

Mums who are after a lightweight, compact, hard-wearing buggy for everyday use who drive and don’t have to use public transport. And if you already own a single carrycot it may not fit on the double as the seats are narrower.

Is the product value for money? Do you have to buy lots of extras or is everything included?

The Baby Jogger City Mini is definitely value for money. It’s sturdy, will last years and you can use it from birth without having to buy any additional extras. Of course, there are lots of extras that you can buy to go with it. Some like a rain cover or footmuff I’d say are essential. But you can always shop around and find cheaper alternatives.

What’s in the box?

Baby Jogger City Mini Double buggy

Sun canopy

MadeForMums verdict:

Baby Jogger is a well-loved brand amongst parents for good reason. The Baby Jogger City Mini double is lightweight and easy to steer making it brilliant for everyday use. It’s compact, so great for mums who are short on space. But it’s not so good if you have to use public transport or get it up and down stairs on a daily basis as it requires two hands to fold it down.